Combination loose leaf binder and book carrier



July 28, 1964 K. c. LU 3,142,495

COMBINATION LOOSE LEAF BINDER AND BOOK CARRIER Filed Feb. 26, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. (mm 51w 6, Lu

BY M (5. m

K. C. LU

COMBINATION LOOSE LEAF BINDER AND BOOK CARRI Filed Feb. 26, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. [INA 57w 6'. la

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y 8, 1964 K. c. LU 3,142,495

COMBINATION LOOSE LEAF BINDER AND BOOK CARRIER Filed Feb. 26, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 KEN/V5777 C'Ju BY 4 ffaixvi/ United States Patent 3,142,495 CGMBINATIQN LQOSE LEAF BWDER AND 300K CARRIER V Kenneth C. Lu, 134 York Drive, Piedmont, Calif. lFiled Feb. 26, 1963, Ser. No. 261,030 12 Claims. (Cl. 28129) This invention relates to a combination loose leaf binder and book carrier and, more particularly, to a loose leaf binder including straps which may be extended around the loose leaf covers as retention means for books or the like which are supported on one of the loose leaf binder cover panels.

The most common users of loose leaf binders are students who are usually required to carry text books, writing and drawing tools and other supplies and equipment between home and class as well as between classes. A common method of carrying such articles is by stacking them on a loose leaf binder and holding them together between arm and body. However, even books are rarely of standard size and shape and it frequently becomes difiicult to retain all articles by application of pressure.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an attachment for loose leaf binder that is adapted to releasably secure books and the like to the binder to facilitate handling thereof.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a combination loose leaf binder and book carrier including straps which may be extended to embrace and retain books but which may be retracted to a storage position that will not hinder use of the loose leaf binder as a writing surface.

In carrying out this invention, I provide at least one pair of straps which are secured to the cover of a loose leaf binder and are of a length to be extended completely around the binder and over books or similar articles supported on a hinged cover panel and firmly retain such articles thereon. In the preferred embodiment, the hinged cover panel actually comprises a pair of semi-rigid panels which provide a storage space between them for the straps when not in use. In this preferred form, the straps are secured to one end of an elastic tension member which is secured between the panels of the binder cover, and the straps are guided over pulleys back and forth across the width of the cover. At one pulley the straps of each pair are separated and one is directed outside the cover at one edge thereof While the other is directed back across the cover to the opposite edge. When the straps are retracted by the tension member just these end portions are exposed so that they may be grasped manually and pulled outwardly and around any books that are supported on the cover. Fastening means on the ends of the straps are then secured and the books are held under the tension of the elastic member. Finally, a brake member is applied to hold the straps against slipping so that the loose leaf binder may be held by a separate handle with the assurance that the books will be held firmly in place.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the description following when read in conjunction with accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the preferred form of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a section view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial section view showing the operation of a brake means forming a feature of this invention;

FIG. 4 is the enlarged partial end view showing the brake operating mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the book-supporting straps;

FIG. 6 is a view in partial section further illustrating the operation of the brake mechanism;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an alternative form of this invention;

ice

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 showing the book carrying straps in stored condition; and

FIG. 9 is another isometric View of the alternative embodiment.

Referring now to the drawings with greater particularity, FIG. 1 illustrates the operation of the preferred form of this invention wherein a loose leaf binder 10 is provided with complementary pairs of strap members 12 and 14 which are hooked together at 16 to secure a stack of books or the like 18 onto a panel 20 of the binder. Preferably, a carrying handle 22 is provided at the back of the binder so that the binder and books may be carried with just one hand.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 5 the strap members are secured at their inner ends to a spring-like tension member 24 anchored at 26 to a point between the panels 28 and 30 of the loose leaf cover. The spring-like member may comprise a rubber band, a fabric-covered elastic band or simply a coiled spring. In any event, the spring-like member must have sufiicient elasticity to permil: the straps to be extended from their retracted positions at the edge of the panels 28 and 30 where they may be grasped manually, to their extended positions wherein they may embrace several books 18 supported on a hinged cover panel 30 or 32. Such extension is facilitated by providing a plurality of posts or pulleys 34 over which the elastic band 24 and the straps 12 and 14 are guided back and forth across the space between the panels 28 and 30 until they are extended through a slot 37 in a brake member 36 hereinafter to be described and extended to a final guide post or roller 38. From the post 38 one strap 12 is carried outside the panel while the other strap 14 is carried around the post 38, back through the slot 37 in the brake and across the space between the panel to a second guide roller 39 from which point it is carried outside the panel.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the brake member 36 may simply comprise a hollow tube or rod 40 that is rotatably mounted between the panels 28 and 30 of the binder cover. As shown most clearly in FIG. 6, a rigid sheet 41 is secured onto the lower panel 28 as by riveting and is bent to form two channel members 42 through which the straps are guided and in the vertical portions of which the brake rod 40 is rotatably mounted. Conveniently, the various guide rollers 34, 38 and 39 may similarly be rotatably mounted between the vertical portions of the channel members. If desired the panels 28 and 30 may be of a relatively rigid plastic or the like and the channel members 42 formed integral therewith. In any case, the space between the channel members may conveniently be used for storage of pencils, pens and the like.

The slots or passageways 37 are provided in the brake rod in alignment with the channel members 42 to receive the straps 12 and 14. Thus, when the brake member is disposed as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 with the slot or passageway parallel to the panels 28 and 30, i.e., the direction in which the straps 12 and 14 are pulled, the straps may move freely through the slot 37 relatively without impediment. However, if the brake rod 40' is turned to the position shown in FIG. 3 wherein the slot 37 is transverse to the direction of strap movement, the straps are urged tightly together and thereby frictionally locked against further movement. Referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 6 a portion of the lower panel 28 is cut away at 50 and the rigid sheet 41 is preferably bent around the edge of the recess to provide a locking surface to be described. A latch member 52, secured to the end of the brake rod 44) is free to move in the space provided by the recess 50. Within the latch member 52 is slidably mounted a detent 54 urged outward by a compression spring 56.

in FIGS. 1 through 6, the ends of the straps 12 and 14' are graspedand pulled outward and around any books 18 or similar articles supported on the panel or loose leaf binder. After the ends of the straps are secured together they are released and the straps are pulled by the spring like member 24 to hold the books under tension. Then the latch member 52 is pulled upward to apply-the brake 36' so the brake rod 40 is turned to the position shown in FIG. 3 wherein the straps 12 and 14 are secured tightly.

together sufficiently to bind them against release. Moreover, the twistingof the straps tends to shorten then and apply a greater tension against the straps to hold the books securely in place. While for purposes of illustration, the straps have been shown as extending over the top panel 30to hold books thereon, it is, of course, obvious that the straps may be carried around the other way to support books on the other panel 32. case, the straps would not only support the books but would hold the loose leaf binder closed and prevent loose leaf sheets from dropping out. In such condition, the book may be carried by the supporting handle 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, an alternative form of the invention is shown. There, the straps 72 and 74 and, if desired auxiliary straps 75, are secured directly to one of the hinged binder covers of -a binder 70 (FIG. 9) and are adapted to be carried around the cover to secure books 18 or similar articles supported on the other side. If desired, the straps may be contained between panels of the cover sothat they are not exposed, and preferably, the transverse straps are extended through slots 76 extending through the back of the binder 70 so as to be securely held against lateral-or transverse displacement. Similarly, the edges of the binder panels are preferably notched at 76 so that the straps 72, 74 and 75 will be held against transverse displacement. When the straps are in use they are secured together by any conventional buckle means 78 such as shown in FIG. 8 so that the binder is secured shut and the books held in a compact package for carrying by the handle 80. When not in use, the straps may be folded over the cover and inserted in retaining members. The retaining members may take a variety of forms but for purposes of illustration may comprise simply a series of elastic members 82' (FIG. 8) secured to the inside of the binder 70 so that the central portion may be raisedto permit'entry of the strap. As the straps are held in'place as shown in FIG; 8, a cover panel 84 of semi-rigid material such as fiber board or the like may be snapped in place at 86 to cover the strap and provide a smooth surface for writing.

While this invention has been discussed-in connection with preferred embodiments thereof, it is apparent that modifications=and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which is defined by the claims appended hereto.

Having described my invention I claim:

1. In combination with a loose leaf binder or the like, a carrier for books and other articles comprising:

at least one pair of strap'members secured to a hinged cover panel of said binder,

said strap members being of lengths that enable them to be extended around said binder to embrace an article supported on a hinged cover panel of said binder,

means for securing said strap members together when so extended,

each of said strap members being conditioned to be retracted within the area of a cover panel, and

In that 1 relatively rigid panels covering said strap members when so retracted.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 including retaining means for holding each of said strap members in its retracted position within the area of a cover panel.

3. The combination defined-in claim 2 wherein said retaining means comprises tension spring members secured between saidcover panels and said strap members.

4. In combination with a loose leaf binder or the like,

a carrier for books and other articles comprising:

at least one pair of strap members secured to one-hinged cover panel of said binder,

said strap members being of lengths that enable them to be extended around said binder to embrace an article supported on the other hinged cover panel of said binder,

a buckle member for securing said strap members together,

each said strap member being conditioned to be retracted within the area of a cover panel, and

a relatively rigid panel covering each said strap member when so retracted.

5. In combination with a rigid writing surface panel,

a carrier for books or the like comprising:

a pair of strap members,

a tension spring member secured at one end to said panel and at the other end to a juncture between said strap members,

a guide post on said panel adjacent an edge thereof over which one of said strap members is guided back across said panel to the opposite edge thereof,

the other of said strap members being conditioned to be pulled from said one edge of the panel and said one strap member being conditioned to be pulled from the other edge thereof, and

means for securing the ends of said strap members together.

6. The combination defined in claim 4 including a brake member moveable on said panel from a first position wherein said strap members are conditioned to be pulled freely to a second position wherein said strap members are engaged thereby and held against longitudinal movement.

7. The combination defined in claim 6 wherein said brake member comprises a body rotatable on said panel about an axis generally parallel to said one end opposite edges,

a passageway through said body receiving said strap,

members, and

means for turning said body between said first position wherein said passageway is disposed generally parallel to said panel and said second position wherein said passageway is transverse thereto.

8. A combination writing surface and carrier for books or the like comprising:

a pair of substantially parallel spaced panels,

a pair of strap members,

a tension spring member anchored at one end between said panels and at the other end to a juncture between said strap members,

a guide post between said panels disposed parallel to a pair of adjacent edges of said panels,

one of said strap members being disposed to be pulled from said pair of edges and the other of said strap members being guided over said post and directed back across between said panels to be pulled from the opposite pair of adjacent edges, and

means for securing said strap members together.

9. The combination defined in claim 8 including a brake member moveably mounted between said panels from a first position wherein said strap members are conditioned to be pulled freely to a second position wherein said strap members are engaged thereby and held against longitudinal movement.

10. The combination defined in claim 8 including a plurality of guide pulleys between said panels,

said strap members being directed over said guide pulley back and forth between said panel members.

11. The combination defined in claim 7 wherein said panel members together form a hinged cover panel of a loose leaf binder.

12. In a loose leaf binder or the like, carrier for books or the like comprising:

a pair of substantially parallel spaced panels,

a pair of strap members,

a tension spring member anchored at one end between said panels and at the other end to a juncture between said strap members,

a plurality of guide pulleys between said panels, said strap members being directed over said guide pulleys back and forth between said panel members,

a guide post between said panels disposed parallel to a pair of adjacent edges of said panels,

one of said strap members being disposed to be pulled from said pair of edges and the other of said strap members being guided over said post and directed back across between said panels to be pulled from the opposite pair of adjacent edges,

a brake member moveable on said panel from a first position wherein said strap members are conditioned to be pulled freely to a second position wherein said strap members are engaged thereby and held against longitudinal movement, and

means for securing the ends of said strap members together.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 875,442 Boeuf Dec. 31, 1907 903,283 Gray Nov. 10, 1908 1,041,930 West Oct. 22, 1912 1,069,567 Morrison Aug. 5, 1913 1,912,710 Kennedy June 6, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS 404,520 France Oct. 22, 1909 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A LOOSE LEAF BINDER OR THE LIKE, A CARRIER FOR BOOKS AND OTHER ARTICLES COMPRISING: AT LEAST ONE PAIR OF STRAP MEMBERS SECURED TO A HINGED COVER PANEL OF SAID BINDER, SAID STRAP MEMBERS BEING OF LENGTHS THAT ENABLE THEM TO BE EXTENDED AROUND SAID BINDER TO EMBRACE AN ARTICLE SUPPORTED ON A HINGED COVER PANEL OF SAID BINDER, 